Assisters, brokers fight for credit in Colorado

For-profit brokers and nonprofit assisters are competing for public health insurance exchange prospects in Colorado.

The competition between the brokers and the assisters came up in September at a Connect for Health board meeting. Roxanne Johnson, director of community-based programs at the state-based exchange, talked about enrollee assistance programs.

One board member asked about what happens when the state’s nonprofit assisters — health coverage guides and certified application counselors —  ”do all the work, and the customer enrolls offsite, or through a local broker,” according to the meeting minutes.

Johnson said the nonprofit assisters sometimes have trouble getting credit for their efforts to help consumers. “We are in business to help people, and sites have not always received the credit for doing the work,” Johnson said.

Lindy Hinman, an exchange staff member, said Connect for Health is trying to do a better job of recording which consumers get help from a nonprofit health coverage guide, then enroll through another method, such as through a broker.